Top 10 highlights
Places you must see
In Groningen, it's all remarkably close together. The liveliness of the city, the silence of a courtyard, the vastness of the surrounding countryside and the traces of an ancient past. Here you can stand eye to eye with icons such as the Martinitoren and the Forum, but just as easily in the middle of nature, on a mound or in a fortress. Discover the 10 sights you want to see in City and Countryside.
Martinitoren
In the past 500 years, the Martinitoren burned down, lightning struck and it was on the verge of collapse. Wars were won and lost on its doorstep. The tower stood its ground and, at 97 metres tall, is still the city's tallest building. Climb up for a piece of tangible history and, above all, a fantastic view.
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National Park Lauwersmeer
Of course there was a plan behind the closing off of the Lauwerszee in 1969. But no one could have predicted that the Lauwersmeer area would become one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. You won't find this combination of vistas on the horizon, magnificent flora, unique fauna and so much space for recreation anywhere else.
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Borgen
Scattered across the province, stately houses tower above the surrounding fields. They are surrounded by trees and sometimes even a moat. The are borgen that were inhabited by jonkers in previous centuries. Once, there were over a hundred in the province. Only 16 of them made it to the present. Here you stap the past and discover how the rich used to live.
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Forum Groningen
At the heart of the city is the Forum. The city's living room. A place you can walk right into seven days a week. Be surprised by Storyworld, changing exhibitions, 5 cinema rooms, the Smartlab, restaurants, the city library and Groningen's highest roof terrace with phenomenal views and a rooftop cinema.
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The Wadden
The Wadden Sea revolves around the Wadden Islands? Literally maybe, but figuratively certainly not. For the splendour of the Wadden, you don't have to go to an island. The coast of Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site offers incredible things to see and do, from the endless horizon in Oldambt to the nature in National Park Lauwersmeer.
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Courtyards
The Groningen courtyards used to offer free shelter to the poor, widows and sick. Nowadays, all kinds of private individuals live in these oases of calm in the city centre. At a handful you can drop in for a moment of silence. Some of the trees in the flower-filled gardens are so old that they have lived with the residents of yesteryear.
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Kiekkaaste
The water undulates across the mud flats while birds peck at their food. You get a splendid view of this agile nature from vogelkijkhut De Kiekkaaste near Nieuwe Statenzijl. This is the only Dutch bird hide outside the dykes. Ready for a walk? Don't forget your binoculars and brave the blubber.
Fort Bourtange
The defences were barely finished when the Spanish were already at the gates. Due to the combination of the bastions and the swampy marsh, the enemy soon dropped out. Even the bishop of Münster failed to conquer Bourtange. Walk inside Groningen's impregnable fortress, restored to its former glory.
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Groninger museum
Creative energy splashes from the walls. Beautiful or ugly? The Groninger Museum has been there since 1994, but is still the subject of discussion on modern architecture. Let that surely be reason enough for a visit. The diverse collection and innovative, occasionally quite stimulating exhibitions complete the experience.
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Mound villages
Anyone who thinks Groningen is as flat as a dime is wrong. In many places in Groningen's landscape, you will come across hilltop villages that were formed in an era without dykes, when the land was still regularly flooded. To still be able to live safely and dry, the villages were built on wide hills.
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